Sufficient Unto the Day

Rain worth many hundreds of thousands of pounds to farmers fell in country areas during the week-end.

“The world is in a parlous state,” I said.
“Grave dangers mark the present situ-
ation.”
He scarcely heard; he did not turn his
head,
But gazed across his gleaming cultiva-
tion
Under grey skies.
Content was in his eyes.
I said: “In China still Japan is gaining.
The cables state . . .” He viewed me
with surprise.
“What’s that?” he asked. “Man, can’t
you see it’s raining?”

“It worries me,” I told him. “Latest news
Shows small improvement in affairs in
Spain.
The statesmen cannot reconcile their
views . . .”
“Listen!” he cried. “Just listen to that
rain!
Hope it don’t stop.
It means a bumper crop.”
I said: “There’s Germany. She’s still
complaining
About lost colonies. Won’t let it drop.”
“Dare say you’re right,” he answered.
“But it’s raining!”

“You are a fool!” said I. “Your vision’s
blurred,
Your mind’s befogged and all your out-
look narrow.
To blab now of the weather is absurd
When the world’s plight the dullest
mind must harrow.”
“So?” he replied.
He looked at me and sighed.
“Would I be more a fool to stand com-
plaining
Because of blessings now, so long denied?
Or fear tomorrow when today it’s raining?”

“Listen,” he said. “I’m just a rustic lout,
A simple farmer with one life to live.
There’s plenty in this world to grieve
about.
Must I spurn such small joys that life
may give
For one brief day?
Tomorrow, who can say?
Tomorrow you and I may be in train-
ing
To take our part in the unholy fray.
As for today, it’s raining, raining,
raining!”